The European Cricket Championship was a national team cricket tournament for the European countries associated with the International Cricket Council. The tournament was played as a league system, where the teams were split into divisions. The competition was designed to encourage and develop the best players in countries where cricket was not a major sport and Europe's only Test cricket playing country at the time, England, did not enter a full-strength side. The games were often played as 50-over one-day cricket matches.
History
The European Cricket Championships began in 1996 as a competition for seven European associate teams and an (English Cricket Board) ECB XI.All the European associates at the time of the tournament participated except Belgium, who did not join the Championship until 2006 The second installment, two years later, saw the two new associate members, France and Germany join them and the competition played over two divisions.
In 2000, places were given to the top finishers of the European Affiliates Championship and this continued over the following installments. Promotion and relegation between divisions was not introduced until 2004.
With the introduction of the ICC World Cricket League in 2006, the championship was revamped. The European Affiliates Championship was incorporated into the European Cricket Championships with the teams being split between Divisions Two, Three and Four according to their placement in the final competition. Additionally, the ECB XI was no longer included and only full national sides could take part. A fifth league was introduced in the 2009–10 season, containing some of the newest affiliate members of the European Cricket Council, but discontinued thereafter, along with Division 4. With the end of the World Cricket League in 2017, the European 50-over divisional structure was abolished altogether.
Participating teams Legend – Champions – Runners-up – Third place – Semi-finalist (no third-place playoff) * – Team was ineligible for tournament — Hosts
Team 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2011 2013 2015 2017Total — — — — — — — — 8th 6th — 4th 4 — — — — — — — — 7th 12th — 5th 4 — — — — — — — — 12th — — — 1 — — — — — — — — — — — — 1 3rd 2nd 6th 5th 4th 4th 3rd 5th 1st 2nd 2nd * 11 England Board XI 4th 6th 2nd 1st 1st — — — — * * * 6 — — — — — — — — — — — — 1 — 8th — — — — — — 6th 5th 6th 6th 5 — 7th — — — — — — 10th 7th — 1st 5 6th 10th — — — — — — 9th 10th — — 4 — — — — — — — — 4th SF 4th * 3 — — — — — — — — — — — — 1 1st 4th 4th 3rd 5th 1st 1st * * * * * 7 — — — — — — — 2nd — — — — 1 — — — — — — — — — 9th — — 1 8th 9th — — — — — — 11th — — — 3 7th 5th 5th 6th — 5th 5th 6th 2nd 1st 3rd * 11 — — — — — — — 1st 3rd SF 1st * 4 — — — — — — — — — — — — 1 2nd 1st 1st 4th 2nd 3rd 4th * * * * * 8 — — — — — — — 4th — — — — 1 — — — — — — 6th — 5th 8th 5th 3rd 6 — — — — — — — — — — — — 1 — — — — — — — — — — — — 1 5th 3rd 3rd 2nd 3rd 2nd 2nd * * * * * 7 — — — — — — — 3rd — — — — 1 — — — — — — — — — — — — 1 — — — — — — — — — 11th — 2nd 3
Tournaments DivisionsHost nation(s)Final Standing1996ECC Division One
England Board XI
The first tournament was played in Denmark in 1996. The participating teams were Denmark, Gibraltar, Netherlands, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Scotland and an England Board XI. The tournament was won by Ireland after beating the Netherlands in the final.1998ECC Division One
England Board XI
1998 tournament was held in Netherlands. The participating teams were Denmark, Gibraltar, Netherlands, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Scotland, Germany, France and an England Board XI. The tournament was won by Netherlands after beating the Denmark in the final. In one of the biggest shocks in cricket history, Italy beat England in the promotion/relegation playoff.2000ECC Division One England Board XI
The top 6 teams from the previous tournament Formed ECC Division 1 The tournament was played in Scotland and was again won by the Netherlands against England Board XI.ECC Division Two
The Bottom 4 teams from the previous tournament Formed ECC Division 2 joined by Greece and Portugal. The tournament was played in Scotland. ECC Division 2 was won by Gibraltar against Germany.2002ECC Division One England Board XI
2002 ECC tournament was held in Northern Ireland, It was won by the ECB XI against Scotland. Italy finished last was relegated to 2004 ECC Division TwoECC Division Two
2002 ECC tournament was held in Northern Ireland, with Austria replacing Greece from the previous tournament. The ECC Division Two was again won by Gibraltar against Germany.2004ECC Division One England Board XI
2004 ECC Division One, played in the Netherlands, was again won by the ECB XI against Ireland.ECC Division Two
2004 ECC Division Two, played in Belgium, was again won by the Italy against France.
Austria and Portugal did not compete this year, although Norway made their debut in Division Two.2006ECC Division One
The European Division One Championships was held from 4–9 August in Scotland. Five teams participated in a round robin tournament, the games being held in Glasgow and Ayr. The games between Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands had full ODI status. The tournament was won by Ireland, who had also won a 'clean sweep' of European Championship at all age levels. The top three teams qualified for 2007 WCL Division One 4th place team for qualified 2007 WCL Division Two 5th place team for qualified 2007 WCL Division Three.ECC Division Two
The European Division Two Championships was held from 4–9 August in Scotland, together with Division One. The winner would be promoted to the next installment of Division One in 2008.
Division Two was primarily played in Glasgow, with one game being played at RAF Lossiemouth for security reasons. Italy were absent, having been promoted to Division One. Greece made their return to Division Two after a six-year absence, whilst the tournament saw the international debuts of Guernsey and Jersey. It was won by Norway, Norway promoted to 2008 Division One. The win also granted them entry into 2008 WCL Division Five alongside runners-up Jersey and 3rd place Germany. Israel relegated to playoff with 2007 ECC Division Three winner. Greece came in last place and were relegated later was stripped of their first round points due to fielding ineligible players.ECC Division Four
The European Division Four Championship was played in Belgium, and featured the debut of Cyprus who played Finland, Luxembourg and Slovenia. It was won by Finland. Finland & Cyprus gained promotion to 2007 Division Three.2007ECC Division Three
The European Division Three Championships was held in Belgium and it featured 8 teams viz. Croatia, Spain, Malta, Isle of Man, Belgium and Portugal. Finland and Cyprus qualified through 2006 ECC Division four.In the final Croatia beat Spain by four runs. Croatia Qualified 2007 ECC division two Playoff Cyprus and Finland relegated to 2009 ECC Division Four.2007 ECC division two Playoff beat by 5 runsOn 18 November 2007 a play-off between Croatia and Israel took place in Tel Aviv, Croatia won the match by five runs Croatia promoted to Division Two.2008 ECC Division One
The European Championship Division 1 was held from 25 to 31 July in Ireland. Six teams participated in a round robin tournament, the games being played in Dublin. The tournament was won by Ireland. Norway relegated to playoff with 2008 ECC Division Two winner.ECC Division Two
The European Championship Division 2 was held from 18 to 23 August in Guernsey. Six teams participated in a round robin tournament, the games being played at the King George V, Port Soif and College Field grounds. The tournament was won by Jersey Jersey promoted to a play off, for a chance of promotion to Division One. Croatia relegated to playoff with 2009 ECC Division Three winner.2008 ECC division one Playoff v – Not playedPlay-off system scrapped by ICC Europe. Jersey promoted to 2010 ECC Division One . Norway relegated to 2010 ECC Division Two.2009ECC Division Three
The 2009 European Championship Division Three was held in La Manga, Spain from 31 August to 5 September. Israel qualified 2009 ECC division two Playoffs Malta were relegated to 2011 Division Four.2009 ECC division two Playoff Lost to Croatia Lost the match to Israel Israel promoted to Division Two.ECC Division Five
The 2009 European Championship Division Five was held in Corfu, Greece from 7 to 12 September. Greece finished top gaining promotion to Division 4. The tournament also marked Turkey's debut in international cricket. Although they finished last they did gain their first victory in international cricket over Bulgaria.ECC Division Four
The 2009 European Championship Division Four was held in Limassol, Cyprus from 14 to 19 September. The winners were Cyprus on net run rate as both Switzerland and Austria, who had returned to the competition after a number of years absence, had equal points at the end of the competition. Slovenia were relegated to 2011 Division Five after losing all of their games.20102010 ECC Division One
The 2010 European Championship Division One was held in Jersey from 13 to 19 July. The ECC decided that the division would be made up of the six highest placed European teams currently embedded in the World Cricket League structure. The three nations with ODI status sent their second XIs to the tournament. Hosts Jersey were the champions, winning all their games.2010 ECC Division Two
The 2010 European Championship Division Two was held in Guernsey from 13 to 19 July. The ECC decided that the division would be made up of the three lowest placed teams currently embedded in the World Cricket League structure and the three next placed teams based on recent regional events. The highest placed of these latter teams at the end of the tournament would gain qualification for 2010 WCL Division Eight. Guernsey were the champions after winning all the games Germany qualified for the Division Eight tournament. Although their net run rate was lower than that of France they earn qualification as they had won their match against the French side. Norway finished above Israel for the same reason.20112011 ECC Division Three &
The 2011 ICC European Twenty20 Championship Division Three is a cricket tournament that took place between 11 and 14 May 2011. Sweden were the champions, promoted to 2011 ECC Division Two.2011 ECC Division Two and
The 2011 ICC European Twenty20 Championship Division Two is a cricket tournament that took place between 20 and 25 June 2011. Belgium and Austria Promoted to 2011 ICC European T20 Championship Division One. Isle of Man, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, Cyprus, Sweden Remain in 2012 ICC European T20 Championship Division Two2011 ECC Division One and
The 2011 ICC European Twenty20 Championship Division One was a cricket tournament that took place between 19 and 24 July 2011. Denmark and Italy were Promoted to 2012 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier Jersey, Guernsey, Norway, France, Belgium, Austria, Gibraltar, Germany remained in 2013 ICC European T20 Championship Division One. Israel and Croatia were relegated to 2013 European T20 Championship Division Two20122012 ECC Division Three
The 2012 ICC European Twenty20 Championship Division Three is a cricket tournament that took place between 14 and 16 June 2012. Estonia qualified for 2012 ICC European T20 Championship Division Two.2012 ECC Division Two
The 2012 ICC European Twenty20 Championship Division Two is a cricket tournament that took place between 3–8 September 2012 Isle of Man and Sweden were promoted to 2013 Europe Division One Portugal, Spain, Greece, Finland, Luxembourg, Israel, Cyprus, Estonia, Croatia Remain in 2015 Europe Division Two Malta relegated to 2015 Europe Division Three20132013 ECC Division One England